How to machine plane up Winding or Twisted timber boards

Woodworking tools used: Planner Thicknesser and Bench Saw or Band Saw

You need to get one flat face to start with.

If it's a squarish section use the Table saw or Band saw. If its a board, use a thicknesser. With both, the trick is to fix the piece to something that is already flat.

So much easier to explain with a video:

1. Fasten the twisted piece to a flat board. Don’t clamp it flat but support its twisted shape. There’s many ways of doing this.

Planer jig to flatten warped timber board

This photo shows the twisted piece screwed at it’s the ends to a board, the twist away from the board being supported by a fine wedge. I’ve heard of plasticine, blue tack or a line of adjustable screw heads being used.

Sketch of winding warped board for planing

2. Run the assembly through the thicknesser, taking light cuts so the pressure of the rollers doesn’t distort things.

3. When that side is flat, take it off the assembly, flip it over and send the other side through the thicknesser (jointer).

4 . The original twist will still be on the sides. If your bench saw or band saw guide is twice as long as piece i.e. able to guide both ends for the entire cut, you can easily trim the first edge.

That’s going to be a long guide if you’re making a table top!
Alternatively, fix the board to another one that does have a straight edge. Then run the straight edge along the table saw or band saw guide.

5. Then clean up the edges on the planer using a perpendicular guide.

Next - How to plane bowing on a timber board

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